Hewasnotallowedtofinish。Hemingwayhadflunghimtooneside，andwasracingdownthedeck。
Thedetectivespranginpursuit。
\"Onemoment，there！\"heshouted。
Butthemaninthewhitemess-jacketbarredhisway。
Inthemoonlightthedetectivesawthatthealert，bronzedyoungmanwassmiling。
\"That\'sallright，\"saidFearing。\"He\'llbebackinaminute。Besides，youdon\'twanthim。I\'mthemanyouwant。\"
THELONGARM
Thesafewasanoldonethatopenedwithakey。Asadjutant，CaptainSwansonhadchargeofcertainfundsoftheregimentandkeptinthesafeaboutfivethousanddollars。NoonebuthimselfandRueff，hisfirstsergeant，hadaccesstoit。AndasRueffprovedanalibi，themoneymighthavebeenremovedbyanoutsider。Thecourt-martialgaveSwansonthebenefitofthedoubt，andareprimandfornottakinggreatercareofthekeys，andSwansonmadegoodthefivethousand。
Swansondidnotthinkitwasaburglarwhohadrobbedthesafe。
HethoughtRueffhadrobbedit，buthecouldnotpossiblyprovethat。AtthetimeoftherobberyRueffwasoutsidethePresidio，inuniform，atamoving-pictureshowinSanFrancisco。Adozenpeoplesawhimthere。Besides，Rueffheldanexcellentrecord。
Hewasasilent，clerk-likeyoungman，betterat\"paperwork\"thancampaigning，butevenasasoldierhehadnevercomeuponthebooks。
Andhehadseenserviceintwocampaigns，andwassupposedtocherishambitionstowardacommission。But，ashekeptmuchtohimself，hisfellownon-comscouldonlyguessthat。
Onhiscaptain\'saccounthewasloyallydistressedoverthecourt-martial，andinhistestimonytriedtoshieldSwanson，byagreeingheartilythatthroughhisowncarelessnessthekeysmighthavefallenintothehandsofsomeoneoutsidethepost。
Buthisloyaltycouldnotsavehissuperiorofficerfromwhatwasaverdictvirtuallyof\"notproven。\"
Itwasamostdistressingaffair，and，onaccountofthesocialprominenceofSwanson\'speople，hisownpopularity，andthenamehehadmadeatBatangasandintheBoxerbusiness，wasmuchcommentedupon，notonlyintheservices，butbythenewspapersallovertheUnitedStates。
EveryonewhoknewSwansonknewthecourt-martialwasonlyamatterofform。Evenhisenemiesventuredonlytosuggestthatovernighthemighthaveborrowedthemoney，meaningtoreplaceitthenextmorning。AndtheonlyreasonforconsideringthisexplanationwasthatSwansonwasknowntobeindebt。Forhewasapersistentgambler。JustasatPekinhehadgambledwithdeathforhisnumber，intimesofpeacehegambledformoney。Itwasalwayshisownmoney。
FromthestartSwanson\'sownattitudetowardtheaffairwasoneofblind，unreasoningrage。Inithesawnonecessaryroutineofdiscipline，onlycrass，ignorantstupidity。Thatanyoneshouldsuspecthimwassopreposterous，sounintelligent，astobenearlycomic。Andwhen，instantly，hedemandedacourtofinquiry，hecouldnotbelieveitwhenhewassummonedbeforeacourt-martial。
Itsickened，wounded，deeplyaffrontedhim；turnedhimquitesavage。
Onhisstandhisattitudeandanswersweresoinsolentthathisoldfriendandclassmate，CaptainCopley，whowasactingashiscounsel，wouldgladlyhavekickedhim。Thefindingsofthecourt-martial，thatneitherclearednorcondemned，andthereprimand，wereanintolerableinsulttohisfeelings，and，inafitofbitterdisgustwiththeserviceandeveryoneinit，Swansonresigned。Ofcourse，themomenthehaddonesohewassorry。
Swanson\'sthoughtwasthathecouldnolongerassociatewithanyonewhocouldbelievehimcapableoftheft。Itwashisideaofshowinghisownopinionofhimselfandthearmy。
Butnoonesawitinthatlight。Onthecontrary，peoplesaid：
\"Swansonhasbeenallowedtoresign。\"Inthearmy，voluntarilyresigningandbeing\"allowedtoresign\"lestgreaterevilsbefall，aretwovastlydifferentthings。AndwhenitwastoolatenoonethanSwansonsawthatmoreclearly。Hisangergavewaytoextrememorbidness。Hebelievedthatinresigninghehadassuredeveryoneofhisguilt。Ineveryfriendandstrangerhesawamanwhodoubtedhim。Heimaginedsnubs，rebuffs，andcoldnesses。Hismorbidnessfasteneduponhismindlikeaparasiteuponatree，andthebrainsickened。Whenmenandwomenglancedathisalert，well-set-upfigureandshoulders，thatevenwhenhewore\"cits\"seemedtosupportepaulets，andsmiledapprovingly，Swansonthoughttheysneered。Inaweekhelongedtobebackinthearmywithahomesicknessthatmadeeveryonewhobelongedtoithisenemy。
HeleftSanFrancisco，wherehewasknowntoall，andtravelledsouththroughTexas，andthentoNewOrleansandFlorida。Henevercouldrecallthisperiodwithclearness。Herememberedchangingfromonetraintoanother，fromonehoteltothenext。
Nothingimpresseditselfuponhim。Forwhathehadlostnothingcouldgiveconsolation。Withouthonorlifeheldnocharm。Andhebelievedthatintheeyesofallmenhewasathief，apariah，andanoutcast。
HehadbeeninCubawiththeArmyofOccupation，andofthatbeautifulislandhadgrownfoolishlyfond。Hewasfamiliarwitheverypartofit，andhebelievedinoneoranotherofitsprettyportshecouldsocompletelyhidehimselfthatnoonecouldintrudeuponhismisery。IntheStates，inthenewspapersheseemedtoreadonlyofthoseplaceswherehehadseenservice，ofthoseplacesandfriendsandassociateshemostloved。InthelittleCubanvillageinwhichhewouldburyhimselfhewouldcuthimselfofffromallnewspapers，fromallwhoknewhim；fromthosewhohadbeenhisfriends，andthosewhoknewhisnameonlytoconnectitwithascandal。
OnhiswayfromPortTampatoCubatheboatstoppedatKeyWest，andforthehourinwhichshedischargedcargoSwansonwentashoreandwanderedaimlessly。Thelittletown，rearedonaflatislandofcoralandlimestone，didnotlongdetainhim。Themainstreetofshops，eating-houses，andsaloons，theprettyresidenceswithoverhangingbalconies，setamonggardensandmagnolia-trees，weresoonexplored，andhewasreturningtotheboatwhenthemartialmusicofabandcausedhimtohalt。Asidestreetledtoagreatgatewaysurmountedbyananchor。BeyonditSwansonsawlawnsofwell-keptgrass，regularpaths，prettycottages，thetwo-starredflagofanadmiral，and，risinghighabovethese，likefourEiffeltowers，thegiganticmastsofawireless。HerecognizedthathewasattheentrancetotheKeyWestnavalstation，andturnedquicklyaway。
Hewalkedafewfeet，themusicofthebandstillinhisears。InanhourhewouldbesteamingtowardCuba，and，shouldheholdtohispresentpurpose，inmanyyearsthiswouldbethelasttimehewouldstandonAmericansoil，wouldseetheuniformofhiscountry，wouldhearamilitarybandlullthesuntosleep。Itwouldhurt，buthewonderedifitwerenotworththehurt。Asmartsergeantofmarines，inpassing，castoneglanceatthemanwhoseemedalwaystowearepaulets，andbroughthishandsharplytosalute。TheactdeterminedSwanson。Hehadobtainedthesaluteunderfalsepretenses，butithadpleased，nothurthim。Heturnedbackandpassedintothegateofthenavalstation。
Fromthegateagrass-linedcarriagedriveledtothewatersoftheharborandthewharfs。Atitsextremeendwastheband-stand，flankedononesidebythecottageoftheadmiral，ontheotherbyasail-loftwithiron-barredwindowsandwhitewashedwalls。
Upontheturfwerepyramidsofcannon-ballsand，laidoutinrowsasthoughawaitingburial，old-timemuzzle-loadingguns。Acrosstheharborthesunwassinkingintothecoralreefs，andthespringair，stillwarmfromitscaresses，wasstirredbythemusicofthebandintogentle，rhythmicwaves。Thescenewasoneofpeace，order，andcontent。
ButasSwansonadvanced，themeasureofthemusicwasinstantlyshatteredbyafiercevolleyofexplosions。Theycamesosuddenlyandsharplyastomakehimstart。Itwasasthoughfromhisflankaquick-firingguninambushhadopeneduponhim。Swansonsmiledathavingbeentakenunawares。ForinSanFranciscoheoftenhadheardtheroarandrattleofthewireless。Butneverbeforehadhelistenedtoanattacklikethis。
Fromatinywhite-and-greencottage，squattingamongthefourgiantmasts，cametheroarofaforestfire。Onecouldhearthecrackleoftheflames，thecrashofthefallingtree-trunks。Theairaboutthecottagewastornintothreads；beneaththeshocksoftheelectricitythelawnseemedtoheaveandtremble。Itwaslikesomegiantmonster，boundandfettered，strugglingtobefree。Nowitgrowledsullenly，nowinimpotentrageitspatandspluttered，nowitlashedaboutwithcrashing，stunningblows。Itseemedasthoughthewoodenwallsofthestationcouldnotcontainit。
FromtheroadSwansonwatched，throughtheopenwindowsofthecottage，theelectricboltsflashandflareanddisappear。Thethingappealedtohisimagination。Itspower，itscapabilitiesfascinatedhim。Inithesawahungrymonsterreachingouttoeverycornerofthecontinentanddevouringthenewsoftheworld；feedingupontalesofshipwreckanddisaster，lingeringoversomedaintymorselofscandal，snatchingfromshipsandcitiestwothousandmilesawaythethrice-toldtaleofaconflagration，thescoreofabaseballmatch，thefallofacabinet，theassassinationofaking。
Inasuddenaccessoffierceness，asthoughinanecstasyoversomefreshhorrorjustreceived，itshriekedandchortled。Andthen，assuddenlyasithadbrokenforth，itsanktosilence，andfromtheendofthecarriagedriveagainrose，undisturbed，themusicoftheband。
Themusicianswereplayingtoaselectaudience。Onbenchesaroundtheband-standsatahalfdozennurse-maidswithknittingintheirhands，thebaby-carriageswithinarm\'slength。Ontheturfolderchildrenoftheofficerswereatplay，andupanddownthepathsbareheadedgirls，andmatrons，andofficersinuniformstrolledleisurely。Fromthevine-coveredcottageofAdmiralPreble，setinagardenoffloweringplantsandbendingpalmettos，camethetinkleoftea-cupsandtherippleoflaughter，andatarespectfuldistance，seatedonthedismantledcannon，weremarinesinkhakiandbluejacketsinglisteningwhite。
Itwasafamilygroup，andhadnotSwansonrecognizedamongthelittleaudienceothersofthepassengersfromthesteamerandnativesofthetownwho，likehimself，hadbeenattractedbythemusic，hewouldhavefeltthatheintruded。Henowwishedtoremain。Hewantedtocarrywithhimintohisexileamemoryofthemeninuniform，ofthemusic，andprettywomen，ofthegorgeouscrimsonsunset。But，thoughhewishedtoremain，hedidnotwishtoberecognized。
Fromtheglancesalreadyturnedtowardhim，hesawthatinthislittlefamilygatheringthepresenceofastrangerwasanevent，andhewasawarethatduringthetrialthenewspapershadmadehisfaceconspicuous。AlsoitmightbethatstationedatthepostwassomeofficerorenlistedmanwhohadservedwithhiminCuba，China，orthePhilippines，andwhomightpointhimouttoothers。
Fearingthis，Swansonmadeadetourandapproachedtheband-standfromthewharf，andwithhisbacktoahawser-postseatedhimselfuponthestring-piece。
Hewasovercomewithanintolerablemelancholy。Fromwherehesathecouldsee，softenedintoshadowsbythewirescreensoftheveranda，AdmiralPrebleandhiswifeandtheirguestsattea。A
monthbefore，hewouldhavereportedtotheadmiralasthecommandantofthestation，andpaidhisrespects。Nowhecouldnotdothat；atleastnotwithoutinvitingarebuff。Amonthbefore，heneedonlyhaveshownhiscardtotheadmiral\'sorderly，andtheorderlyandtheguardandtheofficers\'messandtheadmiralhimselfwouldhaveturnedthepostupsidedowntodohimhonor。Butofwhatavailnowwashisrecordinthreecampaigns？Ofwhatavailnowwashismedalofhonor？TheynowknewhimasSwanson，whohadbeencourt-martialled，whohadbeenallowedtoresign，whohadleftthearmyforthearmy\'sgood；theyknewhimasacivilianwithoutrankorauthority，asanex-officerwhohadrobbedhisbrotherofficers，asanoutcast。
Hisposition，ashismorbidmindthusdistortedit，temptedSwansonnolonger。Forbeinginthisplighthedidnotfeelthatinanywayhewastoblame。Butwithaflamingangerhestillblamedhisbrotherofficersofthecourt-martialwhohadnotclearedhisnameandwithacleanbillofhealthrestoredhimtoduty。Thosewerethemenheblamed；notRueff，thesergeant，whohebelievedhadrobbedhim，norhimself，who，inapassionofwoundedpride，hadresignedandsohadgivenreasonforgossip；
butthemenwhohadnotintoneslikeabugle-callproclaimedhisinnocence，who，whentheyhadhandedhimbackhissword，hadgivenitgrudgingly，notwithcongratulation。
Ashesawit，hestoodinaperpetualpillory。Whentheyhadrobbedhimofhishonortheyhadlefthimnaked，andlifewithouthonorhadlostitsflavor。Hecouldeat，hecoulddrink，hecouldexist。Heknewthatinmanycornersoftheworldwhitearmswouldreachouttohimandmenwouldbeckonhimtoaplaceattable。
Buthecouldnotcrossthatlittlestripofturfbetweenhimandthechatteringgroupontheverandaandhandhiscardtotheadmiral\'sorderly。Swansonlovedlife。Heloveditsothatwithouthelp，money，oraffectionhecouldeachmorninghavegreeteditwithasmile。Butlifewithouthonor！Hefeltasuddenhotnauseaofdisgust。Whywashestillclingingtowhathadlostitspurpose，towhatlackedtheonethingneedful？
\"Iflifebeanillthing，\"hethought，\"Icanlayitdown！\"
Thethoughtwasnotnewtohim，andduringthetwopastweeksofaimlesswanderinghehadcarriedwithhimhisserviceautomatic。
Toreassurehimselfhelaidhisfingersonitscoldsmoothsurface。
Hewouldwait，hedetermined，untilthemusicianshadfinishedtheirconcertandthewomenandchildrenhaddeparted，andthen——
Thentheorderlywouldfindhimwherehewasnowseated，sunkenagainstthehawser-postwithaholethroughhisheart。Tohisdisorderedbrainhisdecisionappearedquitesane。Hewassureheneverhadbeenmorecalm。Andashepreparedhimselffordeathheassuredhimselfthatforoneofhisstandardnootherchoicewaspossible。Thoughtsoftheactivepast，orofwhatdistressinthefuturehisactwouldbringtoothers，didnotdisturbhim。Thethinghadtobe，noonelostmoreheavilythanhimself，andregretswerecowardly。
Hecountedthemoneyhehadonhispersonandwaspleasedtofindtherewasenoughtopayforwhatservicesotherssoonmustrenderhim。Inhispocketswereletters，cards，acigarette-case，eachofwhichwouldtellhisidentity。Hehadnowishtoconcealit，forofwhathewasabouttodohewasnotashamed。Itwasnothisact。
Hewouldnothavedied\"byhisownhand。\"Tohisunbalancedbraintheofficersofthecourt-martialwereresponsible。Itwastheywhohadkilledhim。Ashesawit，theyhadmadehisdeathasinevitableasthoughtheyhadsentencedhimtobeshotatsunrise。
Alinefrom\"TheDrumsoftheForeandAft\"camebacktohim。
Oftenhehadquotedit，whensomeoneintheservicehadsufferedthroughthefaultofothers。Itwasthedeath-cryoftheboyofficer，Devlin。TheknivesoftheGhazihadcuthimdown，butitwashisownpeople\'sabandoninghiminterrorthathadkilledhim。Andso，withasob，heflungthelineattheretreatingbacksofhiscomrades：
\"You\'vekilledme，youcowards！\"
Swanson，nursinghisanger，repeatedthissavagely。Hewishedhecouldbringithometothosemenofthecourt-martial。Hewishedhecouldmakethemknowthathisdeathlayattheirdoor。Hedeterminedthattheyshouldknow。Ononeofhisvisiting-cardshepencilled：
\"TotheOfficersofmyCourt-Martial：\'You\'vekilledme，youcowards！\'\"
Heplacedthecardinthepocketofhiswaistcoat。Theywouldfinditjustabovetheplacewherethebulletwouldburnthecloth。
Thebandwasplaying\"AufWiedersehen，\"andthewaltzcarriedwithitthesadnessthathadmadepeoplecallthemanwhowroteitthewaltzking。Swansonlistenedgratefully。Hewasgladthatbeforehewentout，hislastmoodhadbeenofregretandgentleness。
Thestingofhisangerhaddeparted，themusicsoothedandsoberedhim。Ithadbeenaverygoodworld。Untilhehadbrokenthespineofthingsithadtreatedhimwell，farbetter，headmitted，thanhedeserved。Thereweremanyinitwhohadbeenkind，towhomhewasgrateful。Hewishedtherewassomewaybywhichhecouldletthemknowthat。Asthoughinanswertohiswish，fromacrosstheparade-groundthewirelessagainbegantocrashandcrackle；butnowSwansonwasatagreaterdistancefromit，andthesighingrhythmofthewaltzwasnotinterrupted。
Swansonconsideredtowhomhemightsendafarewellmessage，butasinhismindhepassedfromonefriendtoanother，hesawthattoeachsuchagreetingcouldbringonlydistress。Hedecideditwasthemusicthathadledhimastray。Thiswasnomomentforfalsesentiment。Helethishandcloseuponthepistol。
Theaudiencenowwasdispersing。Thenurse-maidshadcollectedtheircharges，themusiciansweretakingaparttheirmusic-racks，andfromthestepsofthevine-coveredverandaAdmiralPreblewasbiddingthefriendsofhiswifeadieu。Athissidehisaide，young，alert，confident，withill-concealedimpatienceawaitedtheirdeparture。
Swansonfoundthatheresentedtheaide。Heresentedthemannerinwhichhespeededthepartingguests。Evenifthereweremattersofimportancehewasanxioustocommunicatetohischief，heneednotmakeitplaintothewomenfolkthattheywereintheway。
When，amonthbefore，hehadbeenadjutant，inalikesituationhewouldhaveshownmoreself-command。Hedisapprovedoftheaideentirely。Heresentedthefactthathewasasyoungashimself，thathewasinuniform，thathewasanaide。Swansoncertainlyhopedthatwhenhewasinuniformhehadnotlookedsomuchtheconqueringhero，soself-satisfied，sosupercilious。Withasmilehewonderedwhy，atsuchamoment，amanhehadneverseenbefore，andneverwouldseeagain，shouldsodisturbhim。
Inhisheartheknew。Theaidewasgoingforwardjustwherehewasleavingoff。Theribbonsonthetunicoftheaide，thestrapsonhisshoulders，toldSwansonthattheyhadservedinthesamecampaigns，thattheywereofthesamerelativerank，andthatwhenhehimself，hadheremainedintheservice，wouldhavebeenabrigadier-generaltheaidewouldcommandabattle-ship。ThepossiblefutureoftheyoungsailorfilledSwansonwithhonorableenvyandbitterregret。Withallhissoulheenviedhimtherighttolookhisfellowmanintheeye，hisrighttodieforhiscountry，togivehislife，shoulditberequiredofhim，forninetymillionpeople，foraflag。Swansonsawthetwoofficersdimly，witheyesofbitterself-pity。Hewasdying，buthewasnotdyinggloriouslyforaflag。Hehadlosttherighttodieforit，andhewasdyingbecausehehadlostthatright。
Thesunhadsunkandtheeveninghadgrownchill。Atthewharfwherethesteamerlayonwhichhehadarrived，butonwhichhewasnottodepart，theelectriccargolightswerealreadyburning。
ButforwhatSwansonhadtodotherestillwaslightenough。
Fromhisbreast-pockethetookthecardonwhichhehadwrittenhismessagetohisbrotherofficers，readandrereadit，andreplacedit。
Savefortheadmiralandhisaideatthestepsofthecottage，andabareheadedbluejacketwhowasreportingtothem，andtheadmiral\'sorderly，whowaswalkingtowardSwanson，noonewasinsight。Stillseateduponthestringpieceofthewharf，Swansonsomovedthathisbackwastowardthefourmen。Themomentseemedpropitious，almostasthoughithadbeenprearranged。Forwithsuchanaudience，forhistakingoffnootherpersoncouldbeblamed。Therewouldbenoquestionbutthatdeathhadbeenself-inflicted。
ApproachingfrombehindhimSwansonheardthebriskstepsoftheorderlydrawingrapidlynearer。Hewonderedifthewharfweregovernmentproperty，ifheweretrespassing，andifforthatreasonthemanhadbeensenttoorderhimaway。Heconsideredbitterlythatthegovernmentgrudgedhimaplaceeveninwhichtodie。
Well，hewouldnotforlongbeatrespasser。Hishandslippedintohispocket，withhisthumbheloweredthesafety-catchofthepistol。
Butthehandwiththepistolinitdidnotleavehispocket。Thestepsoftheorderlyhadcometoasuddensilence。Raisinghisheadheavily，Swansonsawtheman，withhiseyesfixeduponhim，standingatsalute。Theyhadfirstmadehislifeunsupportable，Swansonthought，nowtheywouldnotlethimleaveit。
\"CaptainSwanson，sir？\"askedtheorderly。
Swansondidnotspeakormove。
\"Theadmiral\'scompliments，sir，\"snappedtheorderly，\"andwillthecaptainpleasespeakwithhim？\"
StillSwansondidnotmove。
Hefeltthatthebreaking-pointofhisself-controlhadcome。
Thisimpertinentinterruption，thisthrustingintothelastfewsecondsofhislifeofareminderofallthathehadlost，thisfutilepostponementofhisend，wascruel，unhuman，unthinkable。
Thepistolwasstillinhishand。Hehadbuttodrawitandpressitclose，andbeforethemarinecouldleapuponhimhewouldhaveescaped。
Frombehind，approachinghurriedly，camethesoundofimpatientfootsteps。
Theorderlystiffenedtoattention。\"Theadmiral！\"hewarned。
Twelveyearsofdiscipline，twelveyearsofrecognitionofauthority，twelveyearsofdeferencetosuperiorofficers，draggedSwanson\'shandfromhispistolandliftedhimtohisfeet。Asheturned，AdmiralPreble，theaide，andthebareheadedbluejacketwerecloseuponhim。Theadmiral\'sfacebeamed，hiseyeswereyoungwithpleasurableexcitement；withtheeagernessofaboyhewavedasideformalgreetings。
\"MydearSwanson，\"hecried，\"Iassureyouit\'samostastonishing，mostcuriouscoincidence！Seethisman？\"Heflungouthisarmatthebluejacket。\"He\'smywirelesschief。HewaswirelessoperatoronthetransportthattookyoutoManila。Whenyoucameinherethisafternoonherecognizedyou。Halfanhourlaterhepicksupamessage——picksituptwothousandmilesfromhere——fromSanFrancisco——AssociatedPressnews——itconcernsyou；thatis，notreallyconcernsyou，butIthought，wethought\"-asthoughsignallingforhelp，theadmiralglancedunhappilyathisaide-
\"wethoughtyou\'dliketoknow。Ofcourse，tous，\"headdedhastily，\"it\'squitesuperfluous——quitesuperfluous，but——\"
Theaidecoughedapologetically。\"Youmightread，sir，\"hesuggested。
\"What？Exactly！Quiteso！\"criedtheadmiral。
Inthefadinglightheheldclosetohiseyesapieceofpaper。
\"SanFrancisco，April20，\"heread。\"Rueff，firstsergeant，shothimselfhereto-day，leavingwrittenconfessiontheftofregimentalfundsforwhichSwanson，captain，latelycourt-martialled。MoneyfoundintactinRueff\'smattress。InnocenceofSwansonneverquestioned，butdissatisfiedwithfindingsofcourt-martialhasleftarmy。Brotherofficersmakingeveryefforttofindhimandpersuadereturn。\"
Theadmiralsighedhappily。\"Andmywife，\"headded，withanimpressivenessthatwasintendedtoshowhehadatlastarrivedattheimportantpartofhismessage，\"saysyouaretostaytodinner。\"
Abruptly，rudely，Swansonswunguponhisheelandturnedhisfacefromtheadmiral。Hisheadwasthrownback，hisarmsheldrigidathissides。Inslow，deepbreaths，likeonewhohadbeendraggedfromdrowning，hedrankinthesalt，chillair。Afteroneglancethefourmenalsoturned，andinthefallingdarknessstoodstaringatnothing，andnoonespoke。
Theaidewasthefirsttobreakthesilence。Inapolitetone，asthoughhewerecontinuingaconversationwhichhadnotbeeninterrupted，headdressedtheadmiral。\"Ofcourse，Rueff\'swrittenconfessionwasnotneeded，\"hesaid。
\"Hisshootinghimselfprovedthathewasguilty。\"
Swansonstartedasthoughacrosshisnakedshoulderstheaidehaddrawnawhip。
Inpenitenceandgratitudeheraisedhiseyestothestars。Highabovehisheadthestrandsofthewireless，swingingfromthetoweringmastslikethestringsofagiantAeolianharp，weresweptbythewindfromtheocean。ToSwansonthesighingandwhisperingwiressanginpraiseandthanksgiving。
THEGODOFCOINCIDENCE
TheGodofCoincidenceisfortunateinpossessinginnumerablepressagents。Theyhavemadethelengthofhisarmaproverb。Howatexactlytherightmomentheextendsitacrosscontinentsanddragstwoandtwotogether，thuscausingfourtoresultwherebutforhimsixesandsevenswouldhaveobtained，theyhavemadeknowntothereadersofallofourbestmagazines。Forinstance，HolworthyisleavingfortheCongotofindacureforthesleepingsickness，andforhimselfanysicknessfromwhichoneiswarrantednevertowakeup。Thisishisconditionbecausethebeautifulmillion-heiresswhoiswinteringattheAlexanderYoungHotelinHonoluluhasrefusedtoanswerhisletters，cables，andappeals。
Heisleaningupontherailtakinghislastneck-breakinglookattheWoolworthBuilding。Thegoing-ashorebuglehassounded，pocket-handkerchiefsarewaving；andJoeHutton，thelastvisitortoleavetheship，isatthegangway。
\"Good-by，Holworthy！\"hecalls。\"Wheredoyoukeepyourself？
Haven\'tseenyouattheclubinayear！\"
\"Haven\'tbeenthereinayear——normeanto！\"istheungraciousreplyofourhero。
\"Then，forHeaven\'ssake，\"exclaimsHutton，\"sendsomeonetotakeyourmailoutoftheHbox！EverytimeIlookforlettersIwadethroughyours。\"
\"Tearthemup！\"callsHolworthy。\"They\'rebills。\"
Huttonnowishalf-waydownthegangplank。
\"Thenyourcreditors，\"heshoutsback，\"mustallliveattheAlexanderYoungHotelinHonolulu！\"
ThatnightanexpresstrainshriekingthroughthedarknesscarriedwithittowardSanFrancisco——
InthishowevidentisthefineItalianhandoftheGodofCoincidence！
HadHutton\'snamebegunwithanM；hadtheHinHuttonbeensilent；hadhenotcarriedtotheMauretaniaasteamerbasketforhisrichaunt；hadhenotresentedthefactthatsinceHolworthy\'selectiontotheVanSturtevantClubhehadceasedtovisittheGrillClub——acureforsleepingsicknessmighthavebeendiscovered；
buttwolovingheartsneverwouldhavebeenreunitedandthatstorywouldnothavebeenwritten。
Or，Mrs。Montclair，withasuit-case，isleavingherhomeforevertojoinhandsomeHarryBellairs，whoisatthecornerwitharacing-carandallthemoneyofthebankofwhichhehasbeencashier。Astheguiltywomanplacesthefarewellletteragainstthepin-cushionwhereherhusbandwillbesuretofindit，herinfantsonturnsinhissleepandjabshimselfwithapin。Hishowlofanguishresemblesthatofapuppyonamoonlightnight。
Themotherrecognizeshermaster\'svoice。Shebelievesherchilddying，fliestothebedside，tearsuptheletter，unpacksthesuit-case。
Thenextmorningatbreakfastherhusband，readingthenewspaper，exclaimsaloud：
\"HarryBellairs，\"hecries，\"hasskippedwiththebank\'smoney！I
alwaystoldyouhewasnotamanyououghttoknow。\"
\"Hismannertome，\"shesaysseverely，\"alwayswasthatofaperfectgentleman。\"
Againcoincidencegetsthecredit。Hadnotthechildtossed——hadnotatthecriticalmomentthesafetypinproveduntruetothemanwhoinventedit——thathappyfamilyreunionwouldhavebeenimpossible。
Or，itmightbetoldthisway：
OldManMcCurdy，thePig-IronKing，forbidshisdaughterGwendolyneventothinkofmarryingpoorbuthonestBeefWalters，thebaseballpitcher，anddenieshimhishouse。Theloversplananelopement。
AtmidnightBeefistostandatthetradesman\'sentranceandwhistle\"WaitingattheChurch\"；anddownthesilentstairsGwendolynistostealintohisarms。AttheverysamehourthebutlerhasplannedwiththepolicemanonfixedposttostealMotherMcCurdy\'sdiamondsandpassthemtoabrotherofthepoliceman，whoistowaitatthetradesman\'sentranceandwhistle\"WaitingfortheRobertE。Lee。\"
Thissoundsimprobable——especiallythatthepolicemanwouldallowevenhisbrothertogetthediamondsbeforehedid；but，withtheGodofCoincidenceonthejob，youshallseethatitwillallcomeoutright。Beefisfirstatthedoor。Hewhistles。
Thebutler——anEnglishbutler——withnoearformusic，shovesintohishandstiarasandsunbursts。HonestBeefhandsoverthebutlertothepolicemanandthetiarastoMotherMcCurdy。
\"HowcanIrewardyou？\"exclaimsthegratefulwoman。
\"Yourdaughter\'shand！\"
AgaintheGodofCoincidencescoresandBeefWaltersiscreditedwithanassist。AndforpreventingtherobberyMcCurdyhasthepeg-postcopmadeacaptain；thusenablinghimtoweardiamondsofhisownandraisinghimabovetheneedoftakingthemfromothers。
Theseexamplesofwhatthegodcandoaremerefiction；thestorythatcomesnowreallyhappened。Italsoisastoryofcoincidence。
Itshowshowthistimethelongarmwasstretchedouttomaketwoyoungpeoplehappy；itagainillustratesthat，intheinstrumentshechooses，theGodofCoincidenceworksinamysteriouswayhiswonderstoperform。Thistimethetoolheusedwasahatofgreenfelt。
Thestoryreallyshouldbecalled\"TheManintheGreenHat。\"
AtSt。James\'sPalacetheplenipotentiariesoftheAlliesandofTurkeyweretryingtobringpeacetoEurope；inRussellSquare，Bloomsbury，SamLowellwastryingtoarrangeapeacewithMrs。Wroxton，hislandlady。TheultimatumoftheAllieswas：\"Adrianopleorfight！\"
ThelastwordsofMrs。Wroxtonwere：\"Fivepoundsormoveout！\"
Samdidnothavefivepounds。HewasastrangerinLondon；hehadlosthispositioninNewYorkandthatverymorninghadrefusedtomarrythegirlheloved——PollySeward，theyoungwomantheSundaypaperscalled\"TheRichestGirlinAmerica。\"
Foranyman——foroneday——thatwouldseemtobetroubleenough；buttotheSultanofTurkeythatdaybroughttroublesfarmoreserious。
And，ashislosseswereSam\'sgain，wemustfollowthetroublesoftheSultan。Until，withtheaidofagreenfelthat，theGodofCoincidenceturnsthemisfortunesoftheSultanintoafortuneforSam，Sammustwait。
Fromthefirstdaysofthepeaceconferenceitwasevidenttherewasaleak。Thenegotiationshadbeenopenedunderamostsolemnoathofsecrecy。Astotheprogressoftheconference，onlysuchinformationormisinformation——ifthediplomatsconsidereditbetter-
aswasmutuallyagreeduponbytheplenipotentiarieswasgiventoawaitingworld。Buteachmorning，inadditiontotheofficialreportoftheproceedingsofthedayprevious，onenewspaper，theTimes，publishedanaccountwhichdifferedfromthatineveryotherpaper，andwhichundoubtedlycamefromtheinside。Indetailsitwasfarmoregenerousthantheofficialreport；itgavenames，speeches，arguments；itdescribedthewordybattlesofthediplomats，theconcessions，bluffs，bargains。
Afterthreedaysthematterbecamepublicscandal。Atfirst，theplenipotentiariesdeclaredtheeventsdescribedintheTimeswereinventedeacheveningintheofficeoftheTimes；buttheproceedingsofthedayfollowingshowedthepublicthiswasnotso。
Someoneactuallypresentattheconferencewastellingtalesoutofschool。ThesetaleswerecabledtoBelgrade，Sofia，Athens，Constantinople；andhourlyfromthosecapitalstheplenipotentiarieswereassailedbyadvice，abuse，andthreats。Thewholeworldbegantotakepartintheirnegotiations；fromeverysidetheywereattacked；
fromhomebytheYoungTurks，ortheOntoConstantinopleParty；
andfromabroadbypeacesocieties，religiousbodies，andchambersofcommerce。Eventhearmiesinthefield，insteadofwaitingfortheresultoftheirdeliberations，toldthemwhattodo，andthatunlesstheydidittheywouldbetterremaininexile。Tomakemattersworse，ineverystockexchangegamblingonthenewsfurnishedbytheTimesthreatenedthefinancialpeaceofEurope。Toworkundersuchconditionsofpublicitywasimpossible。ThedelegatesappealedtotheirhostsoftheBritishForeignOffice。
Unlessthechielamangthemtakin\'noteswasdiscoveredandtheleakstopped，theydeclaredtheconferencemustend。SpurredonbyquestionsinParliament，byappealsfromthegreatbankingworld，bycriticismsnotaltogetherunselfishfromtheothernewspapers，theForeignOfficesurroundedSt。James\'sPalaceandtheofficeoftheTimeswithanarmyofspies。Everysecretary，stenographer，andattendantattheconferencewasundersurveillance，hispastrecordlookedinto，hispresentcomingsandgoingsnoted。Eventheplenipotentiariesthemselveswerewatched；andemployeesoftheTimesweresecretlyurgedtosellthegovernmentthemanwhowassellingsecretstothem。Butthosewhowerewillingtobe\"urged\"
didnotknowtheman；thosewhodidknowhimrefusedtobebought。
ByaprocessofeliminationsuspicionfinallyrestedupononeAdolfHertz，ayoungHungarianscholarwhospokeandwroteallthemongrellanguagesoftheBalkans；whoforyears，asacopyingclerkandtranslator，hadbeenemployedbytheForeignOffice，andwhonowbyithadbeenlenttotheconference。ForthereasonthatwhenhelivedinBudapesthewasacorrespondentoftheTimes，thepolice，inseekingfortheleak，centredtheirattentionuponHertz。But，thougheverymomenthewaswatched，andthoughHertzknewhewaswatched，nopresentlinkbetweenhimandtheTimeshadbeenestablished-andthisinspiteofthefactthatthehoursduringwhichitwasnecessarytokeephimunderclosestobservationwerefew。Thosewerethehoursbetweentheclosingoftheconference，andmidnight，whentheprovincialeditionoftheTimeswenttopress。Fortheremainderoftheday，sofarasthepolicecared，Hertzcouldgotothedevil！Butforthosehours，exceptwhenonhisreturnfromtheconferencehelockedhimselfinhislodgingsinJermynStreet，detectiveswerealwaysathiselbow。
Itwassupposedthatitwasduringthisbriefperiodwhenhewaslockedinhisroomthathewrotehisreport；buthow，later，heconveyedittotheTimesnoonecoulddiscover。Inhisroomstherewasnotelephone；hisdoorsandwindowswereopenlywatched；
andafterleavinghisroomshismovementswere——astheyalwayshadbeen——methodical，followingaroutineopentoobservation。
Hisprogrammewasinvariablythesame。Eachnightatsevenfromhisfrontdoorhewalkedwest。AtRegentStreethestoppedtobuyaneveningpaperfromtheagednews-venderatthecorner；hethencrossedPiccadillyCircusintoCoventryStreet，skirtedLeicesterSquare，andattheendofGreenStreetenteredPavoni\'sItalianrestaurant。Therehetookhisseatalwaysatthesametable，hunghishatalwaysonthesamebrasspeg，orderedthesameHungarianwine，andreadthesameeveningpaper。Hespoketonoone；noonespoketohim。
Whenhehadfinishedhiscoffeeandhiscigarettehereturnedtohislodgings，andthereheremaineduntilherangforbreakfast。
Fromthetimeatwhichhelefthishomeuntilhisreturntoithespoketoonlytwopersons——thenews-vendertowhomhehandedahalfpenny；thewaiterwhoservedhimtheregulartabled\'hotedinner——betweenwhomandHertznothingpassedbutthreeandsixforthedinnerandsixpenceforthewaiterhimself。
Eachevening，themomenthemovedintothestreetaplain-clothesmanfellintostepbesidehim；anotherfollowedathisheels；andfromacrossthestreetmoreplain-clothesmenkepttheireyesoneveryoneapproachinghiminfrontorfromtherear。Whenheboughthiseveningpapersixpairsofeyeswatchedhimplaceahalfpennyinthehandofthenews-vender，andduringtheentiretimeofhisstayinPavoni\'severymouthfulheatewasnoted——
everydirectionhegavethewaiterwasoverheard。
OfthissurveillanceHertzwaswellaware。Tohavebeenignorantofitwouldhavearguedhimblindandimbecile。Butheshowednoresentment。Witheyesgraveanduntroubled，hesteadilyregardedhisescort；butnotbythehasteningofafootsteportheaccelerationofagesturedidheadmitthatbyhisaudiencehewaseitherdistressedorembarrassed。ThatwasthesituationonthemorningwhentheTreatyofLondonwastobesignedandsealed。
InspiteofthepublicitygiventotheconferencebytheTimes，however，whatthetermsofthetreatymightbenooneknew。IfAdrianopleweresurrendered；ifSalonikaweregiventoGreece；ifServiaobtainedaright-of-waytotheAdriatic——peacewasassured；
but，shouldtheYoungTurksrefuse——shouldAustriaproveobstinate-
notonlywouldthewarcontinue，butthePowerswouldbeinvolved，andthatgreater，moreawfulwar——thewardreadedbyalltheChristianworld——mightturnEuropeintoaslaughter-house。
WouldTurkeyandAustriaconsentandpeaceensue？Wouldtheyrefuseandwarfollow？ThatmorningthosewerethequestionsonthelipsofeverymaninLondonsaveone。HewasSamLowell；andhewasaskinghimselfanotherandmorepersonalquestion：\"HowcanIfindfivepoundsandpacifyMrs。Wroxton？\"
HehadfriendsinNewYorkwhowouldcablehimmoneytopayhispassagehome；buthedidnotwanttogohome。HepreferredtostarveinLondonthanbevulgarlyrichanywhereelse。ThatwasnotbecausehelovedLondon，butbecauseaboveeverythinginlifehelovedPollySeward——andPollySewardwasinLondon。Hehadbeguntoloveheronclassdayofhissenioryear；and，afterhisfatherdiedandlefthimwithnooneelsetocarefor，everydayhehadlovedhermore。
UntilamonthbeforehehadbeenintheofficeofWetmore&
Hastings，asmartbrokers\'firminWallStreet。HehadobtainedthepositionnotbecausehewasofanyusetoWetmore&Hastings，butbecausethefirmwastheonethroughwhichhisfatherhadgambledthemoneythatwouldotherwisehavegonetoSam。IngivingSamajobthefirmthoughtitwasmakingrestitution。Samthoughtitwasmakingthepunishmentfitthecrime；forheknewnothingofthewaysofWallStreet，andhavingtolearnthemboredhimextremely。Hewantedtowritestoriesforthemagazines。HewantedtobindtheminabookanddedicatethemtoPolly。Andinthiswisheditorshumoredhim——butnotsomanyeditorsorwithsuchenthusiasmastowarranthisturninghisbackonWallStreet。
Thathedidlaterwhen，afteratouroftheworldthathadbegunfromtheSanFranciscoside，PollySewardandhermotherandSenatorSewardreachedNaples。ThereSenatorSewardboughtoldItalianfurnitureforhisofficeonthetwenty-fifthflooroftheperfectlynewSewardbuilding。Mrs。SewardtriedtobuyforPollyaprincenearlyasoldasthefurniture，andPollyboughtpicturepost-cardswhichshesenttoSam。
Pollyhadbeenabsentsixmonths，andSam\'sendurancehadbeensotimedasjusttolastoutthehalf-year。Itwasnotguaranteedtowithstandanychangeofschedule，andthetwomonths\'delayinItalybrokehisheart。Itcouldnotrunovertimeonastarvationdietofpost-cards；sowhenhereceivedacablereading，\"AddressLondon，Claridge\'s，\"hishearttoldhimitcouldnolongerwait-
andheresignedhispositionandsailed。
OnhertriproundtheworldPollyhadlearnedmanythings。Shewasobservant，alert，intentonaskingquestions，hungeringforfacts。Andacharmingyoungwomanwhoseeksfactsratherthanattentionwillneverlackeither。ButofallthefactsPollycollected，theoneofsurpassinginterest，andwhichgaveherthegreatesthappiness，wasthatshecouldnotlivewithoutSamLowell。Shehadsuspectedthis，anditwaspartlytomakesurethatshehadconsentedtothetriproundtheworld。Nowthatshehadmadesure，shecouldnottoosoonmakeupforthedayslost。Samhadspenthismoney，andheeithermustreturntoNewYorkandearnmoreorremainnearPollyandstarve。Itwasanembarrassingchoice。Pollyherselfmadethechoiceevenmoredifficult。
OnemorningwhentheywalkedinSt。James\'sParktofeedtheducksshesaidtohim：
\"Sam，whenarewetobemarried？\"
Whenforthreeyearsamanhasbeenbeggingagirltomarryhim，andsheconsentsattheexactmomentwhen，withoutcapitulationtoallthatheholdshonorable，hecannotmarryanybody，hispositiondeservessympathy。
\"Mydearone，\"exclaimedtheunhappyyouth，\"youmakemethemostmiserableofmen！Ican\'tmarry！I\'minanawfulplace！IfI
marriedyounowI\'dbeacrook！Itisn\'taquestionofloveinacottage，withbreadandcheese。IfcottageswererentingforadollarayearIcouldn\'trentonefortenminutes。Ihaven\'tcheeseenoughtobaitamouse-trap。It\'sterrible！Butwehavegottowait。\"
\"Wait！\"criedPolly。\"Ithoughtyouhadbeenwaiting！HaveIbeenawaytoolong？Doyoulovesomeoneelse？\"
\"Don\'tberidiculous！\"saidSamcrossly。\"Lookatme，\"hecommanded，\"andtellmewhomIlove！\"
Pollydidnottaketimetolook。
\"ButI，\"sheprotested，\"havesomuchmoney！\"
\"It\'snotyourmoney，\"explainedSam。\"It\'syourmother\'smoneyoryourfather\'s，andbothofthemdislikeme。Theyevenhavetoldmeso。YourmotherwantsyoutomarrythatItalian；andyourfather，havinghalfthemoneyinAmerica，naturallywantstomarryyoutotheotherhalf。IfIwereselfishandmarriedyouI\'dbeallthethingstheythinkIam。\"
\"Youareselfish！\"criedPolly。\"You\'rethinkingofyourselfandofwhatpeoplewillsay，insteadofhowtomakemehappy。What\'stheuseofmoneyifyoucan\'tbuywhatyouwant？\"
\"Areyousuggestingyoucanbuyme？\"demandedSam。
\"Surely，\"saidPolly——\"ifIcan\'tgetyouanyotherway。Andyoumaynameyourownprice，too。\"
\"WhenIammakingenoughtosupportmyselfwithoutspongingonyou，\"explainedSam，\"youcanhaveasmanymillionsasyoulike；
butImustfirstmakeenoughtokeepmealive。Amanwhocan\'tdothatisn\'tfittomarry。\"
\"Howmuch，\"demandedPolly，\"doyouneedtokeepyoualive？MaybeIcouldlendittoyou。\"
Samwasentirelyserious。
\"Threethousandayear，\"hesaid。
Pollyexclaimedindignantly。
\"Icallthatextremelyextravagant！\"shecried。\"Ifwewaituntilyouearnthreethousandayearwemaybedead。Doyouexpecttoearnthatwritingstories？\"
\"Icantry，\"saidSam——\"orIwillrobabank。\"
Pollysmileduponhimappealingly。
\"YouknowhowIloveyourstories，\"shesaid，\"andIwouldn\'thurtyourfeelingsfortheworld；but，Samdear，Ithinkyouhadbetterrobabank！\"
Addressinganimaginaryaudience，supposedlyofmen，Samexclaimed：
\"Isn\'tthatjustlikeawoman？Shewouldn\'tcare，\"heprotested，\"howIgotthemoney！\"
Pollysmiledcheerfully。
\"NotifIgotyou！\"shesaid。Inextenuation，also，sheaddressedanimaginaryaudience，presumablyofwomen。\"That\'showIlovehim！\"sheexclaimed。\"Andheasksmetowait！Isn\'tthatjustlikeaman？Seriously，\"shewenton，\"ifwejustgoaheadandgetmarriedfatherwouldhavetohelpus。He\'dmakeyouavice-presidentorsomething。\"
AtthissuggestionSamexpressedhisextremedispleasure。
\"ThelasttimeItalkedtoyourfather，\"hesaid，\"Iwasinapositiontomarry，andItoldhimIwantedtomarryyou。Whathesaidtothatwas：\'Don\'tbeanass！\'ThenItoldhimhewasunintelligent——
andItoldhimwhy。First，becausehecouldnotseethatamanmightwanttomarryhisdaughterinspiteofhermoney；andsecond，becausehecouldn\'tseethathermoneywouldn\'tmakeuptoamanforhavinghimforafather-in-law。\"
\"Didyouhavetotellhimthat？\"askedPolly。
\"Someonehadtotellhim，\"saidSamgloomily。\"Anyway，asasourceofrevenuefatheriseliminated。IhavestillonechanceinLondon。IfthatfailsImustgohome。I\'vebeenpromisedajobinNewYorkreportingforaWallStreetpaper——andI\'llwritestoriesontheside。I\'vecabledformoney，andiftheLondonjobfallsthroughIshallsailWednesday。\"
\"Wednesday！\"criedPolly。\"Whenyousaythingslike\'Wednesday\'
youmaketheworldsodark！Youmuststayhere！Ithasbeensuchalongsixmonths；andbeforeyouearnthreethousanddollarsI
shallbeanold，oldmaid。Butifyougetworkherewecouldseeeachothereveryday。\"
TheywereintheSewards\'sitting-roomatClaridge\'s。Samtookupthedesktelephone。
\"InLondon，\"hesaid，\"myonebestandonlybetisamannamedForsythe，whohelpseditthePallMall。I\'lltelephonehimnow。
IfhecanpromisemeevenashillingadayI\'llstayonandstarve——
butI\'llbenearyou。IfForsythefailsmeIshallsailWednesday。\"
ThetelephonecallfoundForsytheatthePallMalloffice。HewouldbecharmedtoadviseMr。Lowellonamatterofbusiness。WouldhethatnightdinewithMr。Lowell？Hewould。AndmighthesuggestthattheydineatPavoni\'s？Hehadaspecialreasonforgoingthere，andthedinnerwouldcostonlythreeandsix。
\"That\'sreasonenough！\"Samtoldhim。
\"Anddon\'tforget，\"saidPollywhen，forthefifthtime，Samrosetogo，\"thatafteryourdinneryouaretolookformeattheDuchessofDeptford\'sdance。Iaskedherforacardandyouwillfinditatyourlodgings。Everybodywillbethere；butitisabigplace-fullofdarkcornerswherewecanhide。\"
\"Don\'thideuntilIarrive，\"saidSam。\"Ishallbeverylate，asIshallhavetowalk。AfterIpayforForsythe\'sdinnerandforwhiteglovesforyourdanceIshallnotbeinapositiontohireataxi。ButmaybeIshallbringgoodnews。MaybeForsythewillgivemethejob。Ifhedoeswewillcelebrateinchampagne。
\"
\"Youwillletmeatleastpayforthechampagne？\"beggedPolly。
\"No，\"saidSamfirmly——\"theduchesswillfurnishthat。\"
WhenSamreachedhislodgingsinRussellSquare，whichheapproachedwithconsiderabletrepidation，hefoundMrs。Wroxtonawaitinghim。Butherattitudenolongerwashostile。Onthecontrary，asshehandedhimalarge，squareenvelope，decoratedwiththestrawberryleavesofaduke，hermannerwashumble。
Samopenedtheenvelopeand，withapparentcarelessness，stuckitoverthefireplace。
\"Aboutthatbackrent，\"hesaid；\"Ihavecabledformoney，andassoon——\"
\"Iknow，\"saidMrs。Wroxton。\"Ireadthecable。\"Shewasreadingthecardofinvitationalso。\"There\'snohurry，sir，\"protestedMrs。
Wroxton。\"AnyofmyyounggentlemenwhoismadewelcomeatDeptfordHouseismadewelcomehere！\"
\"Credit，Mrs。Wroxton，\"observedSam，\"isbetterthancash。Ifyouhaveonlycashyouspenditandnothingremains。Butwithcredityoucancontinueindefinitelyto-to-\"
\"Soyoucan！\"exclaimedMrs。Wroxtonenthusiastically。\"Stayaslongasyoulike，Mr。Lowell。\"
AtPavoni\'sSamfoundForsythealreadyseatedand，withevidentinterest，observingthesceneofgayetybeforehim。TheplacewasnewtoSam，andafterthedarknessandsnowofthestreetsitappearedbothcheerfulandresplendent。Itwasbrilliantlylighted；
aceilingofgaypanelspickedoutwithgold，andredplushsofas，backedagainstwallshungwithmirrorsandfacedbyrowsofmarble-toppedtables，gaveitanairoftheContinent。
Samsurrenderedhishatandcoattothewaiter。ThehatwasasoftAlpineoneofgreenfelt。ThewaiterhungitwhereSamcouldseeit，ononeofmanyhooksthatencircledagildedpillar。
AftertwocourseshadbeenservedForsythesaid：
\"Ihopeyoudon\'tobjecttothisplace。Ihadaspecialreasonforwishingtobehereonthisparticularnight。Iwantedtobeinatthedeath！\"
\"Whosedeath？\"askedSam。\"Isthedinnerasbadasthat？\"
Forsytheleanedbackagainstthemirrorbehindthemand，bringinghisshoulderclosetoSam\'s，spokeinawhisper。
\"Asyouknow，\"hesaid，\"to-daythedelegatessigntheTreatyofLondon。ItstillmustreceivethesignaturesoftheSultanandthethreekings；andtheywillsignit。Butuntiltheydo，whatthetermsofthetreatyarenoonecanfindout。\"
\"I\'llbettheTimesfindsout！\"saidSam。
\"That\'sit！\"returnedForsythe。\"Hertz，themanwhoissupposedtobesellingthesecretsoftheconferencetotheTimes，dineshere。
To-nightishislastchance。Ifto-nighthecansliptheTimesacopyoftheTreatyofLondonwithoutbeingcaught，andtheTimeshasthecouragetopublishit，itwillbethebiggestnewspapersensationofmoderntimes；anditwilleithercauseafinancialpanicalloverEurope——orpreventone。Themantheysuspectisfacingus。Don\'tlooknow，butinaminuteyouwillseehimsittingaloneatatableontherightofthemiddlepillar。
Thepeopleatthetablesnearesthim——eventhewomen——aredetectives。HiswaiterisintheemployofScotlandYard。Themaitred\'hotel，whomyouwillseealwayshoveringroundhistable，isapoliceagentlentbyBulgaria。FortheAlliesareevenmoreanxioustostoptheleakthanweare。Weareinterestedonlyastheirhosts；withthemitisamatterofnationallifeordeath。Aweekagooneofourowninspectorstippedmeofftowhatisgoingon，andeverynightsincethenI\'vedinedhere，hopingtoseesomethingsuspicious。\"
\"Haveyou？\"askedSam。
\"Onlythis，\"whisperedForsythe——\"onfourdifferentnightsI\'verecognizedmenIknowareonthestaffoftheTimes，andontheothernightsmenIdon\'tknowmayhavebeenhere。Butafterallthatprovesnothing，forthisplaceisaresortofnewspaperwritersandeditors——andtheTimesmen\'sbeingheremayhavebeenonlyacoincidence。\"
\"AndHertz？\"askedSam——\"whatdoeshedo？\"
TheEnglishmanexclaimedwithirritation。
\"Justwhatyouseehimdoingnow！\"heprotested。\"Heeatshisdinner！Lookathim！\"hecommanded。\"Ofallintheroomhe\'stheleastconcerned。\"
SamlookedandsawthesuspectedAdolfHertzdanglingamassofmacaroniontheendofhisfork。Samwatchedhimuntilitdisappeared。
\"Maybethat\'sasignal！\"suggestedSam。\"Maybeeverythinghedoesispartofaciphercode！HegivesthesignalsandtheTimesmenreadthemandwritethemdown。\"
\"Amanwouldhaveafinechancetowriteanythingdowninthisroom！\"saidForsythe。
\"Butmaybe，\"persistedSam，\"whenhemakesthosestrangemovementswithhislipsheistalkingtoaconfederatewhocanreadtheliplanguage。Theconfederatewritesitdownattheofficeand——\"
\"Fantasticandextremelyimprobable！\"commentedForsythe。\"But，nevertheless，thefactremains，thefellowdoescommunicatewithsomeonefromtheTimes；andthepolicearepositivehedoesithereandthatheisdoingitnow！\"
TheproblemthatsogreatlydisturbedhisfriendwouldhavemoredeeplyinterestedSamhadthesolvingofhisowntroublebeenlessimperative。Thatalonefilledhismind。Andwhenthecoffeewasservedandthecigarslit，withoutbeatingaboutthebushSamaskedForsythebluntlyifonhispaperarisingandimpecuniousgeniuscouldfindaplace。WithevenlessbeatingaboutthebushForsytheassuredhimhecouldnot。Theanswerwasfinal，andthedisappointmentwassokeenthatSamsoonbeggedhisfriendtoexcusehim，paidhisbill，androsetodepart。
\"Betterwait！\"urgedForsythe。\"You\'llfindnothingsogoodoutatamusic-hall。ThisisHoudinigettingoutofhishandcuffsbeforeanaudienceentirelycomposedofpolicemen。\"
Samshookhisheadgloomily。
\"Ihaveafewhandcuffsofmyowntogetridof，\"hesaid，\"anditmakesmepoorcompany。\"
Hebadehisfriendgoodnightand，pickinghiswayamongthetables，movedtowardthepillaronwhichthewaiterhadhunghishat。ThepillarwastheonebesidewhichHertzwassitting，andasSamapproachedthemanhesatisfiedhiscuriositybyalonglook。UndertheglanceHertzloweredhiseyesandfixedthemuponhisnewspaper。Samretrievedhishatandlefttherestaurant。
Hismindimmediatelywasovercast。HerememberedhisdisappointmentandthatthepartingbetweenhimselfandPollywasnowinevitable。
WithoutconsideringhisdirectionheturnedtowardCharingCrossRoad。Buthewasnotlongallowedtomeditateundisturbed。
HehadonlycrossedthelittlestreetthatrunsbesidetherestaurantandpassedintotheshadowoftheNationalGallerywhen，atthebaseoftheIrvingMemorial，fromeachsidehewasfiercelyattacked。
Ayoungmanofeminentlyrespectableappearancekickedhislegsfromunderhim，andanotherofequallyimpeccableexteriormadeanhonestefforttoknockoffhishead。
Samplungedheavilytothesidewalk。Ashesprawledforwardhishatfellunderhimandinhisstruggletorisewashiddenbytheskirtsofhisgreatcoat。That，also，hehadfallenheavilyuponhishatwithbothkneesSamdidnotknow。Thestrangeactionsofhisassailantsenlightenedhim。Tohissurprise，insteadofcontinuingtheirassaultorattemptingaraiduponhispockets，hefoundthemengagedsolelyintuggingatthehat。Andsopreoccupiedweretheyinthisthat，thoughstillonhisknees，Samwasabletolandsomelustyblowsbeforearushoffeetcausedtheyoungmentoleaptotheirownand，pursuedbyseveralburlyforms，disappearintheheartofthetraffic。
Samroseandstoodunsteadily。HefoundhimselfsurroundedbyallofthosewhobutamomentbeforehehadleftcontentedlydiningatPavoni\'s。Inanexcitedcirclewaitersandpatronsoftherestaurant，bothmenandwomen，stoodinthefallingsnow，bareheaded，coatless，andcloakless，staringathim。ForsythepushedthemasideandtookSambythearm。
\"Whathappened？\"demandedSam。
\"Yououghttoknow，\"protestedForsythe。\"Youstartedit！Themomentyoulefttherestauranttwomengrabbedtheirhatsandjumpedafteryou；adozenothermen，withoutwaitingforhats，jumpedafterthem。Therestofusgotoutjustasthetwomenandthedetectivesdivedintothetraffic。\"
Abigman，withanairofauthority，drewSamtooneside。
\"Didtheytakeanythingfromyou，sir？\"heasked。
\"I\'venothingtheycouldtake，\"saidSam。\"Andtheydidn\'ttrytofindout。Theyjustknockedmedown。\"
Forsytheturnedtothebigman。
\"Thisgentlemanisafriendofmine，inspector，\"hesaid。\"HeisastrangerintownandwasatPavoni\'sonlybyaccident。\"
\"Wemightneedhistestimony，\"suggestedtheofficial。
Samgavehiscardtotheinspectorandthensoughtrefugeinataxicab。Forthesecondtimehebadehisfriendgoodnight。
\"Andwhennextwedine，\"hecalledtohiminparting，\"choosearestaurantwherethedetectiveserviceisquicker！\"
Threehourslater，brushedandrepairedbyMrs。Wroxton，andagainresplendent，SamsatinasecludedcornerofDeptfordHouseandbadePollyalongfarewell。Itwasespeciallylong，owingtotheunusualnumberofinterruptions；foritwasevidentthatPollyhadmanyfriendsinLondon，andthatnottoknowtheRichestOneinAmericaandherabsurdmother，andthepompous，self-satisfiedfather，arguedoneselfnobody。ButfinallytheduchesscarriedPollyofftosupwithher；andastheduchessdidnotincludeSaminherinvitation——atleastnotinsuchawaythatanyonecouldnoticeit——
Samsaidgood-night——butnotbeforehehadarrangedameetingwithPollyforeleventhatsamemorning。Ifitwasclear，themeetingwastobeattheduckpondinSt。James\'sPark；ifitsnowed，attheNationalGalleryinfrontofthe\"AgeofInnocence。\"
Afterrobbingtheduchessofthreesuppers，Samdescendedtothehallandfromanattendantreceivedhiscoatandhat，whichlattertheattendantofferedhimwiththeinsideofthehatshowing。Samsawinitthetrademarkofaforeignmaker。
\"That\'snotmyhat，\"saidSam。
Themanexpressedpolitedisbelief。
\"Ifounditrolledupinthepocketofyourgreatcoat，sir，\"heprotested。
ThewordsremindedSamthatonarrivingatDeptfordHousehehadtwistedthehatintoarollandstuffeditintohisovercoatpocket。
\"Quiteright，\"saidSam。Butitwasnothishat；andwithsomehopeofstillrecoveringhispropertyhemadewayforotherdepartingguestsandatonesidewaited。
Forsomeclewtothepersonhebelievedwasnowwearinghishat，Samexaminedtheoneinhishand。Justshowingabovetheinsidebandwassomethingwhite。Thinkingitmightbethecardoftheowner，Samremovedit。Itwasnotacard，butalongsheetofthinpaper，coveredwithtypewriting，andmanytimesfolded。Samreadtheopeningparagraph。Thenhebackedsuddenlytowardagreatchairofgoldandvelvet，andfellintoit。
Hewasconscioustheattendantsinpinkstockingswereregardinghimaskance；that，astheywaitedinthedraftyhallforcarsandtaxis，thenoblelordsinstarsandribbons，thenobleladiesintiarasandshowingmuch-fur-linedgaloshes，werediscussinghisstrangeappearance。Theymightwellbelievetheyouthwasill；theymighteasilyhaveconsideredhimintoxicated。Outsiderosethevoicesofservantsandpolicecallingthecarriages。Insideotherservantsechoedthem。
\"TheDuchessofSutherland\'scar！\"theychanted。\"Mrs。TrevorHill\'scarriage！TheFrenchambassador\'scarriage！BaronHaussmann\'scar！\"
Likeoneemergingfromatrance，Samsprangupright。Alittlefatman，withmildblueeyesandcurlyredhair，wasshylyandwithmurmuredapologiespushingtowardtheexit。BeforehegaineditSamhadwriggledawaytohiselbow。
\"BaronHaussmann！\"hestammered。\"Imustspeaktoyou。It\'samatterofgravestimportance。Sendawayyourcar，\"hebegged，\"andgivemefiveminutes。\"
Theeyesofthelittlefatmanopenedwideinsurprise，almostinalarm。HestaredatSamreprovingly。
\"Impossible！\"hemurmured。\"I——Idonotknowyou。\"
\"Thisisaletterofintroduction，\"saidSam。Intotheunwillingfingersofthebankerhethrustthefoldedpaper。Bendingoverhim，hewhisperedinhisear。\"That，\"saidSam，\"istheTreatyofLondon！\"
ThealarmofBaronHaussmannincreasedtoapanic。
\"Impossible！\"hegasped。And，withreproach，herepeated：\"Idonotknowyou，sir！Idonotknowyou！\"
Atthatmoment，toweringabovethecrush，appearedthetallfigureofSenatorSeward。TherichmanoftheNewWorldandtherichmanofEuropekneweachotheronlybysight。But，uponseeingSaminearnestconversewiththegreatbanker，thesenatorbelievedthatwithoutappearingtoseekithemightthroughSameffectameeting。Withaheartyslapontheshoulderhegreetedhisfellowcountryman。
\"Halloo，Sam！\"hecriedgenially。\"Youwalkinghomewithme？\"
Samdidnoteventurnhishead。
\"No！\"hesnapped。\"I\'mbusy。Go\'way！\"
Crimson，thesenatordisappeared。BaronHaussmannregardedtheyoungstrangerwithamazedinterest。
\"Youknowhim！\"heprotested。\"HecalledyouSam！\"
\"Knowhim？\"criedSamimpatiently。\"I\'vegottoknowhim！He\'sgoingtobemyfather-in-law。\"
Thefingersoftherichmanclutchedthefoldedpaperastheclawsofaparrotclingtothebarsofhiscage。Helethissablecoatslipintothehandsofaservant；heturnedbacktowardthemarblestaircase。
\"Come！\"hecommanded。
SamledhimtothesecludedcornerPollyandhehadleftvacantandtoldhisstory。
\"So，itisevident，\"concludedSam，\"thateachnightsomeoneintheserviceoftheTimesdinedatPavoni\'s，andthathishatwasthesamesortofhatastheonewornbyHertz；andeachnight，insidetheliningofhishat，Hertzhidthereportofthatday\'sproceedings。AndwhentheTimesmanlefttherestaurantheexchangedhatswithHertz。Butto-night——IgotHertz\'shatandwithitthetreaty！\"
Inperplexitytheblueeyesofthelittlegreatmanfrowned。
\"Itisaremarkablestory，\"hesaid。
\"Youmeanyoudon\'tbelieveme！\"retortedSam。\"IfIhadfinancialstanding——ifIhadcredit——ifIwerenotastranger-
youwouldnothesitate。\"
BaronHaussmannneitheragreednorcontradicted。Hemadeapoliteanddeprecatorygesture。Stillindoubt，hestaredatthepieceofwhitepaper。Stilldeepinthought，hetwistedandcreasedbetweenhisfingerstheTreatyofLondon！
Returningwiththeduchessfromsupper，PollycaughtsightofSamand，withahappylaugh，rantowardhim。Seeinghewasnotalone，shehaltedandwavedherhand。
\"Don\'tforget！\"shecalled。\"Ateleven！\"
Shemadeasweetandlovelypicture。Samroseandbowed。
\"I\'llbethereatten，\"heanswered。
WithhismildblueeyesthebaronfollowedPollyuntilshehaddisappeared。ThenheturnedandsmiledatSam。
\"Permitme，\"hesaid，\"toofferyoumyfelicitations。Youryoungladyisverybeautifulandverygood。\"Sambowedhishead。\"Ifshetrustsyou，\"murmuredthebaron，\"IthinkIcantrustyoutoo。\"
\"Howwonderfuliscredit！\"exclaimedSam。\"Iwasjustsayingsotomylandlady。Ifyouhaveonlycashyouspenditandnothingremains。Butwithcredityoucan——\"
\"Howmuch，\"interruptedthebanker，\"doyouwantforthis？\"
Samreturnedbrisklytothebusinessofthemoment。
\"Tobeyourpartner，\"hesaid——\"togethalfofwhatyoumakeoutofit。\"
Theastonishedeyesofthebaronwerelargewithwonder。AgainhereprovedSam。
\"WhatIshallmakeoutofit？\"hedemandedincredulously。\"DoyouknowhowmuchIshallmakeoutofit？\"
\"Icannotevenguess，\"saidSam；\"butIwanthalf。\"
Thebaronsmiledtolerantly。
\"Andhow，\"heasked，\"couldyoupossiblyknowwhatIgiveyouisreallyhalf？\"
Inhisturn，Sammadeadeprecatorygesture。
\"Yourcredit，\"saidSam，\"isgood！\"
Thatmorning，afterthewalkinSt。James\'sPark，whenSamreturnedwithPollytoClaridge\'s，theyencounteredherfatherinthehall。